Referrals increase as more children require foster care across the UK.
Since the COVID 19 pandemic hit the UK and subsequent lockdowns were imposed, the foster care sector has had a number of big challenges to manage.
Many applications from potential carers were put on hold, with the number of people wanting to become foster carers reducing. For many reasons fostering agencies have seen increases in the number of children that require placements and are working hard to meet the increasing demand. These changes have caused big problems for agencies and have required constant adaption to the way they work, plan and recruit new foster carers.
Managing Director of Banya Family Placement Agency, Chido Poe remarked “With more family breakdowns, the need for more foster carers is urgent”.
“Unfortunately, some placements don’t last long, with many foster carers leaving the sector within the first year. At Banya, we put a great amount of focus on placement stability, which means that the length of time a child remains in placement made by our organisation is well above the national average – something that is a testament to that hard work of Banya’s Referrals team who afford ample time and effort towards their matching process.”
Foster carers are vital to the social care system in the UK when it comes to ‘looked-after’ children. Having a loving and stable childhood significantly impacts a child’s chances of leading a positive and fulfilled life. According to official figures in March 2019, more than 56,000 children were with foster families, which makes up 72 per cent of all the children in care.
As the need grows, thousands of children are waiting for placements, as well as in children’s homes, where the level of care is variable and, in some cases, unsuitable for the child’s needs. One of the benefits of a foster family is they offer the child a loving environment where they can feel a sense of belonging that helps them to go on and succeed.
Chido Poe continued “Banya is particularly looking for foster carers in London and Greater Manchester, and we welcome adults from any backgrounds who have a passion for helping children. I appeal to you if you have ever considered being a foster carer, the time is now, there are children and young people out there desperate to be part of a safe family environment.”
If you have the passion, commitment, time and space to foster a child, Banya urges you to get in touch today. You could be the difference in a child’s life.
Banya is an independent foster care provider. Their fully supported foster carers look after children and young people placed by local authorities. Visit www.banya.co.uk for more information about fostering.